We're all-white mum! Trio of rare lion cubs unveiled in British zoo

The world can be a daunting place when you're growing up - even if you're a lion.

Pride and joy: Three adorable rare white lion cubs born at a British zoo have gone on show at a safari park under the ever- watchful eye of their mother

So this rather sheepish character hid in her mother's comforting shadow yesterday before plucking up the courage to come out and play.

The white lion cub is one of three born 12 weeks ago at West Midland Safari Park near Bewdley in Worcestershire

As if giving birth to triplets isn't hard enough - new mother Natasha now has a lifetime of raising the 'mischievous yet enchanting' girls.

To make things even more challenging, the gorgeous girls with 'snow white fur' - among only about 130 white lions left in the world - all have been given names beginning with the letter P.

They have been named Portia, Phoebe and Pandora by their keepers - who have kept a watchful eye on the cubs since their arrival at West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, near Birmingham, 12 weeks ago.

Weighing around 33lb (15kg) each, they are the latest additions to Britain's largest pride of white lions.

Angela Potter, assistant director of wildlife at the park, said: 'Now they've come outside they're really starting to develop their character.

'They're very playful with the other members of the pride - they're just starting to mix with them.'

But it seems so far that the girls are behaving more like a pack of boys, taking no time to roll around the dirt.